Preformed plastering unit



ocr. 2, 1934. E W ,QKE 1,975,242

PREFORMED PLASTERING UNIT Filed March 5, 1932 Patented Oct. 2, e 1934 UNITED STATES l PREFORMED PLASTERINGv UNIT.

Edward W. Wilke, Chicago, vIll. Application March 5, 1932, Serial'No. 596,915

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a preformed plastering unit and has special reference to a unit comprising a rigid strip of any prescribed shape for forming and holding metal lath and the like in conformity thereto.

More particularly, this invention has reference to a rigid strip preferably of metal formed into arcuate or other desired shape, a plurality of securing members preferably in the form of ears being serrated and deformed from the material of the strip for attachment to the metal of the lath. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the strip is of channel cross-section and extends in the shape of an arc although it is to be understood that various cross-sections may give a desired strength and the strip may assume any longitudinal shape that may be desired.

The device of the present invention has for its particular use the formation of' so-called coved ceilings and in such use it will hereinafter be specifically described although as will be' apparent from the following description thesame may be employed variously in connection with present day plastering. Modern trends in building construction favor plastered arched openings because of their architectural beauty and the economies they afford in the elimination of wood trim. Arclied and coved ceilings are now likewise more or less commonly used and the present device contemplates the ready installation of such ceilings and constructions at a minimum of expense both in materials and cost of installation.

It is the usual practice in so far as applicant is aware to provide curved Wooden forms made to order for each installation, which forms are nailed in position in the corners at the juncture of the ceiling and the Walls whereafter the metal lath is nailed to the wooden forms, the forming of the metal lath into rconformity with the wooden forms being accomplished only with difficulty in an awkward overhead position.

The present invention teaches the provisionof metal or other rigid strips which are clipped or otherwise secured to a sheet of metal lath prior to the installation of the lath whereby the latter is preformed before being placed in position to be nailed. The strip forms the sheet of metal lath into a desired shape and holds the sheet in that position whereafter the same is nailed to the ceiling and Wall, it being noted that the strip is secured only to the sheet and has no direct connection with the Wall. In this manner of construction, irregularities are overcome and a l symmetry and uniformity are provided.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a preformed unit for joining surfaces to be plastered.

Another object of this invention is to provide a plastering construction of the type indicated above Which is simple and comparatively inexpensive in materials and cost of installation.

Other objectsand advantages will hereinafter be more fully pointed out and for a more com-v plete understanding of the characteristic features of thisinvention, reference may now be had to the lfollowing description when taken together withv the accompanying drawing, in which latter:

Figure l is a perspective view of the preformed plastering unit of this invention;

- Fig. 2 is a perspective'view of the forming strip for holding the metal lath in conformity thereto; and i Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View of the preformed unit of this invention as applied in use.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the device of this invention comp-rises a preformed unit consisting in a sheet of iiexible metal lath 10 held in a desired condition by the forming 'strips 11. The lath employed may be of any of the rusual types, as', for example, expanded metal, perforated rnetal,l or woven or welded wire fabric. Usually metal lath is furnished in sheets or coils in certain widths and for the usual coved ceiling these sheets are slit longitudinally in two depending, of course, on the length of the cove and cut to the length of the room. In practice, it has been found desirable to provide forming strips at vabout every eighteeninches along the length of the sheet.

The forming strip is preferably made of a strip of metal of channel cross section in order that the same be rigid. However, it is to be understood that in' order to obtain a desired rigidity the strip may be provided of various cross-sections- In order to secure the strip tothe sheet o-f metal lath, ears l2 may be provided, it being preferable to serrate and deforrn such ears from the material of the strip although, of course, it is towbe understood that other securing means maybe disengagedly attachedv thereto as desired. It is thought to be suiiicient to provide an ear l2 at each end of the forming strip and one midway of the ends thereof although this invention of course is not to be limited to the particular number employed nor to the speciiic character thereof.

In securing the forming strip to the metal lath, the ears are bent over the reticulated portion between the openings and around the material surrounding the openings. In forcing the ears through the openings of the reticulated sheet, the

sheet being flexible, of course,rmay be bent to conform to the shape of the forming strip. In W the embodiment shown in the drawingythis strip is shown as being arcuate, although, of course any desired shape may be employed, it being particularly pointed out that a desirable form is produced by having fiat portions joined'by curves in which instance each of the bent portions of the strip is provided with an ear for securing the iiexible sheet metal lath thereto.

After the forming strips have been secured at intervals over the longitudinal length of the sheet of metal lath, a preformed unit exists which may subsequently' be hoisted into position for use.Y As shown in thadrawing, the metal lath is nailed at 13 to wood lath strips 14 of the ceiling and wood laths 15 of the side wall. The forming strips are not attached to any member but the metal lath. Therefore, when the preformed unit is fabricated on the floor or on a suitable-platform where such may be readily handled, it isV next moved into position as a unit to belnailed to the ceiling and wall forjoining the surfaces thereof to be plastered, the plastered surfaces being indicated by the numeral 16.

As has been pointed out 'hereinbefora the fabrication of the metal lath and the forming'strips prior to the unit being nailed in position alleviates the necessity for providing curved wooden forms which are ordinarily made to order for each installation; the wooden forms being nailed in position in the corners at the juncture of theY ceiling and the walls, whereafterthe metal lath must be formed in conformity with the Wooden forms in an awkward overhead position. A substantial saving in cost is afforded both in the cost of ma-VY terials and the labor expended in the present invention over that of the above described prior construction. It is readily apparent that it is only with difficulty that the metal lath can be formed in an overhead position'at the ceiling. Y

It is to be understood, of course, that these preformed units may be assembled at the place of j. manufacture o-f the metal lath by providing strips of rigid material permanently o-r disengagedly fastened to theV sheets. Y However, it appears to be desirable at present to stock several different sizes of forming strips in several different shapes and Y fabricate the same on the strips at the place of installation owing to the fact that the lengths of thesesheets vary in accordance with various sized rooms. However, the gist of the present invention resides in the provision of a preformed unit for joining surfaces to be plastered whether such fabrication takes place at the place of installation or at the factory. Y. i

While but a single embodiment of this invention is herein shown. and described, it is to be understood .that various modifications thereof may be apparent to those skilled in the Vart without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and, therefore, the same is only to be limited by the scope of the prior art and the appended claims. Y

I claim:

l.; A preformed unit for joining surfaces to be plastered comprising a sheet of flexible lath for receiving plaster, metal strips of irregular shape, and ears onY said strips for engagement with spaced portions of said sheetwhereby said sheet is formed and held in conformity to the shape of said strip.

2. A preformed unit for joining surfaces to be plastered comprising a sheet of flexible lath for receiving plaster, metal strips of irregular shape, and Vears serrated and deformed from the material of said strips for engagement withl spaced portions of said sheet whereby said sheet is formed and held in conformity to the shape of said strip.

3. A preformed unit for joining surfaces to be plastered comprising a sheet of flexible lath for receiving plaster, metal strips of channel cross section, and ears serrated and deformed from the material of said strips for engagement with'spaced portions of said sheet whereby said sheet is formed and held in a desired position.

4. In a building construction having wall and ceiling surfaces to be plastered, a preformed unit extending betweensaid surfaces comprising a sheet of flexible lath secured directly to said surfaces, and rigid means forming a part.

of said sheet for holding said sheet in conformity thereto, 'said sheet receiving plaster for joining the plastered surfaces of said walls and ceilings.

5. In a building construction Vhaving wall and ceiling surfaces to be plastered, a preformed unit extending between said surfaces comprising a Vsheet of flexible lath secured directly to said surfaces, and a plurality of individually attachable rigid strips secured to said sheet for forming and holding said sheet in conformity thereto, said sheet receiving plaster for joining the plastered surfaces of said walls and ceilings.

6. In a building construction having wall and ceiling surfaces to be plastered, a preformed unit extending between said surfaces comprising a sheet of flexible lath secured directly to said surfaces, and a plurality of individually attachable metal strips secured to said sheet for forming and holding saidlsheet in conformity thereto, saidsheet receiving plaster for joining the plastered surfaces of said walls and ceilings.

7. In a building construction having wall and ceiling surfaces to be plastered, a preformed unit extending between said surfaces comprising a sheet of flexible lath secured directly to said surfaces, and a plurality of individually attachable irregularly shaped rigid strips secured to said sheet for forming and holding said sheet in conformity thereto, said sheet receiving plaster for joining the plastered surfaces of said walls and ceilings.

8. In a building. construction having wall and ceiling surfaces to be plastered, a preformed unit extending between said surfacesV comprising a sheet of flexible lath secured directly to said surfaces, and a plurality of individually attachable rigid strips of channel cnoss-section secured to said sheet for forming and holding said sheet in conformity thereto, saidrsheet receiving plaster for joining the :plasteredY surfaces of said walls 

